Shakur was born in New York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Panther Party members. Raised by his mother, he relocated to Baltimore in 1984 and to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. With the release of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, he became a central figure in West Coast hip-hop for his conscious rap lyrics. Shakur achieved further critical and commercial success with his follow-up albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993) and Me Against the World (1995). His Diamond certified album All Eyez on Me (1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap. In addition to his music career, Shakur also found considerable success as an actor, with his starring roles in Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), Above the Rim (1994), Bullet (1996), Gridlock'd (1997), and Gang Related (1997).
During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, including incarceration. In 1995, Shakur served eight months in prison on sexual abuse charges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction. Following his release, he signed to Marion "Suge" Knight's label Death Row Records and became heavily involved in the growing East CoastโWest Coast hip hop rivalry. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times by an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival, the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud, but was also murdered in another drive-by shooting six months later in March 1997 while visiting Los Angeles.
Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, all of which have been certified Platinum in the United States. In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Shakur among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, in the East Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City. While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur. He was named after Tรบpac Amaru II, the descendant of the last Incan ruler, Tรบpac Amaru, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after his failed revolt against Spanish rule. Shakur's mother explained, "I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood."
Shakur had an older stepbrother, Mopreme "Komani" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior.
04. When Thugz Cry
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my guns to keep
If I die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
Got us dyin', when thugs cry, times is hard
Born thuggin' and lovin' the way I came up
My pulse rushin', send my cushin' into insanity
Shout at my cousin now we bustin' if they yo' family
The coppers want to see me buried, I ain't worried
I got a line on the D.A. 'cause I'm fuckin' his secretary
I black out and start cussin', bust 'em and touch 'em all
They panic and bitches duckin', I rush 'em and fuck 'em all
I'll probably be an old man before I understand
Why I had to live my life with pistols close at hand
Kidnapped my homie's sister, cut her face up bad
They even raped her, so we blazed they pad
Automatic shots rang out, on every block
They puttin' hits out on politicians, even cops, I ain't lyin'
They got me sleepin' with my infrared beams
And in my dreams I hear motherfuckers screamin'
What is the meaning, when thugs cry?
Oh why, should you send your child off to die
In the streets of chalk where they lie
Let no wrongs cry out when thugs cry
Dear God (when thugs cry)
Oh why, does it have to be this way, our
Children of today won't stay wise (thugs cry)
Let the children hear when thugs cry
Dear God, oh why
Heh, maybe my addiction to friction got me buggin'
Where is the love? Never quit my ambition to thug
Ain't shed a tear since the old school years of elementary
Niggas I used to love, enclosed in penitentiaries
But still homie keep it real, how does it feel
To lose your life, over somethin' that you did as a kid?
You all alone, no communication, block on the phone
Don't get along with yo' pop, and plus your moms is gone
Where did we go wrong? I put my soul in the song
To help us grow at times, but now our minds are gone
We went from brothers and sisters, to niggas and bitches
We went from welfare livin', to worldwide riches
But somethin' changed in this dirty game, everything's strange
Lost all my homies over cocaine, man
See they ask me if I shed a tear, I ain't lie
See you gotta get high or die, 'cause even thugs cry
Oh why, should you send your child off to die?
In the streets of chalk where they lie
Let no wrongs cry out when thugs cry
Dear God
Oh why, does it have to be this way, our
Children of today won't stay wise
Let the children hear when thugs cry
Dear God, oh why?
And all I see is these paranoid bitches, illegal adventures
Bustin' motherfuckers with uppercuts, I leave 'em with dentures
'Cause in my criminal mind, nobody violates the Don
I write your name on a piece of paper, now your family's gone
Why perpetrate like you can handle my team?
So merciless that my attack'll take command of your dreams
Leavin' motherfuckers drownin' in they own blood
Clownin' takin' pictures later
Laugh 'bout the punk bitches, that turned snitches
Regulate my area, the terror I represent
Make yo' people disappear, you wonderin' where they went?
Am I cold or is it just I sold my soul?
Addicted to these streets, never find true peace, I'm told
Come take my body God, don't let me suffer any longer
Smoke a pound of marijuana, so I know it ain't long
Where is the end to all my misery, is there a close?
I suppose that's why I murder my foes, when thugs cry
Oh why, should you send your child off to die
In the streets of chalk where they lie
Let no wrongs cry out when thugs cry
Dear God (when thugs cry)
Oh why, does it have to be this way, our
Children of today won't stay wise (thugs cry)
Let the children hear when thugs cry
Dear God, oh why?
Oh why, should you send your child off to die
In the streets of chalk where they lie
Let no wrongs cry out when thugs cry
Dear God
Oh why, does it have to be this way, our
Children of today won't stay wise
Let the children hear when thugs cry
Dear God, oh why?
"When Thugz Cry" by 2Pac is an emotional and deep song that speaks to the pain and struggles that come with being a thug in a rough environment. The opening lines of the song use a prayer as a metaphor for a life filled with violence and danger. The lyrics speak to the fear and paranoia that come with living a life immersed in a world of drugs, crime, and violence.
The verses describe a life filled with guns, drugs, and gangs. 2Pac talks about how he was born into this harsh lifestyle and how he and his crew have to constantly watch their backs. The lyrics reveal that he has committed crimes, and even though he has a line on the District Attorney, he knows he is still at risk of being killed or going to prison. The lyrics show that he is hardened by his experiences, but there is still a sense of loss and sadness, as he has lost friends and family members to the streets.
2Pac questions the reasons for the violence and the pain in the chorus. He asks why kids have to die in the streets, and why people can't get along. He begs for the children to hear the cries of the thugs and to understand the pain that comes with living a life of violence and death.
Line by Line Meaning
When thugs cry
Even the toughest individuals have emotions
Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my guns to keep
Praying for protection in a violent world
If I die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take
Acknowledging the possibility of death and seeking spiritual guidance
Got us dyin', when thugs cry, times is hard
Society's hardships lead to violence and loss
Born thuggin' and lovin' the way I came up
Being raised in a violent environment leads to a love for the thug life
Big money clutchin', bustin', while evadin' cocaine busts
Engaging in criminal activities to make money and avoid getting caught
My pulse rushin', send my cushin' into insanity
Intense emotions leading to reckless behavior
Shout at my cousin now we bustin' if they yo' family
Protecting family and retaliating against threats
The coppers want to see me buried, I ain't worried
The police want to kill me, but I am not afraid
I got a line on the D.A. 'cause I'm fuckin' his secretary
Using connections to gain an advantage in the criminal justice system
I black out and start cussin', bust 'em and touch 'em all
Acting impulsively and violently
They panic and bitches duckin', I rush 'em and fuck 'em all
Causing fear and intimidating others
I'll probably be an old man before I understand why I had to live my life with pistols close at hand
Uncertainty about the reasons for living a violent life
Kidnapped my homie's sister, cut her face up bad
Using brutality to send a message and seek revenge
They even raped her, so we blazed they pad
Retaliating against extreme brutality with violence
Automatic shots rang out, on every block
Gun violence is prevalent in neighborhoods
They puttin' hits out on politicians, even cops, I ain't lyin'
Violence and corruption exist at every level of society
They got me sleepin' with my infrared beams
Being constantly afraid and paranoid
And in my dreams I hear motherfuckers screamin'
The trauma of violence haunts even one's dreams
What is the meaning, when thugs cry?
Questioning the reasons for such a violent existence
Oh why, should you send your child off to die In the streets of chalk where they lie
Questioning the system that perpetuates violence and leaves people vulnerable
Let no wrongs cry out when thugs cry
Society tends to ignore the pain and suffering of those involved in violent activities
Heh, maybe my addiction to friction got me buggin'
Being addicted to violent situations
Where is the love? Never quit my ambition to thug
Expressing a longing for more positive and loving experiences, despite the attraction to the thug life
Ain't shed a tear since the old school years of elementary
Refusing or not allowing oneself to show vulnerability and emotion
Niggas I used to love, enclosed in penitentiaries
Friends and loved ones ending up in jail or prison
But still homie keep it real, how does it feel To lose your life, over somethin' that you did as a kid?
Reflecting on the consequences of actions done in youth and the value of loyalty
You all alone, no communication, block on the phone Don't get along with yo' pop, and plus your moms is gone
Feeling disconnected and isolated from family and loved ones
Where did we go wrong? I put my soul in the song To help us grow at times, but now our minds are gone
Reflecting on the destructive path that has been taken and the need for growth and change
We went from brothers and sisters, to niggas and bitches We went from welfare livin', to worldwide riches
The negative impacts of money, fame, and success on relationships and identities
But somethin' changed in this dirty game, everything's strange Lost all my homies over cocaine, man
Feeling disillusioned with the criminal lifestyle and the destruction that comes with it
See they ask me if I shed a tear, I ain't lie See you gotta get high or die, 'cause even thugs cry
The pressure to be tough and hide emotions leads to substance abuse and a destructive cycle of violence
And all I see is these paranoid bitches, illegal adventures Bustin' motherfuckers with uppercuts, I leave 'em with dentures
More violence and aggression in an already violent world
'Cause in my criminal mind, nobody violates the Don I write your name on a piece of paper, now your family's gone
Justifying violence and taking revenge in order to maintain power and respect
Why perpetrate like you can handle my team? So merciless that my attack'll take command of your dreams Leavin' motherfuckers drownin' in they own blood Clownin' takin' pictures later
Celebrating violence and lack of empathy for others
Regulate my area, the terror I represent Make yo' people disappear, you wonderin' where they went?
Using fear and brutality to control one's surroundings and maintain power
Am I cold or is it just I sold my soul?
Questioning the impact of one's choices and the role of violence in one's life
Addicted to these streets, never find true peace, I'm told
Feeling trapped by the violent lifestyle and unable to find real peace
Come take my body God, don't let me suffer any longer Smoke a pound of marijuana, so I know it ain't long
Suffering and longing for an escape from the violent world
Where is the end to all my misery, is there a close? I suppose that's why I murder my foes, when thugs cry
The desire for an end to the pain and violence leads to more violence and destruction
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jewell Peyton, Johnny Lee Jackson, Tupac Amaru Shakur
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cd2ogz1
Who riding to this in 2024
@lee_the_underground_producer
Will be picking up this album along with hella more of his album works sometime this year. ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
@sonnythesavag3335
I with it till I die
@sweez3114
always
@jimibryan2821
One of the greatest writers/performers ever man what a legend sounds as good as anything today like plenty of his tracks timeless classics
@chuckfreeman7392
All the real dudes bro
@devonhayes2209
My favorite line is โLet the children hear when thugz cryโ because so many kids today wanna be gangster when they donโt know the pain. If only they could hear when thugz cry
@kevanjnmarie1403
๐ฏ
@isthatkpls2030
I am 15 years from Greece and I listen old school ๐
@isthatkpls2030
@Devon Hayes ๐๐๐ป